“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:15-20
Devotional Thought For The Day
There are many reactions among human beings to the things that pertain to the coming of the Christ, God’s glorious Son, the Savior of the world. We might think that the shepherds had more compelling reasons to respond to the announcement in a positive, energetic, and enthusiastic manner. They had angels appear to them, a multitude, singing praise to God and announcing good news of peace and God’s favor. They had little better to do, as it must have been quite boring tending sheep through the night. We should note that they did react the way God intended: they went to Jesus, they passed on to others the message they had received, and they commenced glorifying and praising God for His Word to them. To this day God still seeks the same reaction from people – that they rejoice in His gracious good news of love, that they “come to Jesus” for forgiveness and spiritual healing, that they express faith and joy by thanking and praising Him, and that they pass the good news along to others.
The Greek word for “angel” means a messenger. It is the same in Hebrew. In a very real sense the shepherds became “angels,” messengers of God, to the others – to Mary and Joseph, and those unnamed but present at the inn. We too have received the message of God’s salvation from “angels,” from people who have served as messengers of God to us – parents, teachers, relatives, pastors. I know that it is not quite the same – the little children who will be dressing up as angels do not always behave as “little angels,” but still, they bring the message to us, the same message of the birth of Christ, our dear Savior and Lord. We too have privilege of being “angels” of God, human beings of course, but still His messengers to others, bringing tidings of peace and joy in God’s salvation, and glorifying and praising God. We do not always behave as the angels of God who are confirmed in their glory, but still God has entrusted the message to us and encouraged us to spread it to others.
The shepherds might have found a number of reasons to do nothing. They might have wondered about the vision, and attributed it to some other cause. They could have considered duty to the sheep, and determined to stay put. They might have been moved by greed, not wanting to risk the loss of even one sheep. They might have been moved by pride – what people would think of their report, and perhaps their sanity. We have some of the same concerns, especially in regard to the reactions of the unbelieving to the message of God’s great love and salvation in Christ Jesus. We’ve heard their logic, their reasons for disbelieving, and we sense the smug condescension and also the anger simmering in the hearts of the impenitent. Still, the message is compelling and full of joyous reality, the expression of God’s love for all and His will that all come to repentance and knowledge of the truth. The stakes are immense for us and for others, the offer of spiritual renewal and eternal life.
People will still react to the message and the messengers of God in a variety of different ways. We don’t know much about Jesus’ childhood, but we can certainly read in the Gospel accounts how people reacted to His preaching, His teaching, His actions, and His mission once His principle work commenced. The general reaction was not like that of the shepherds, and Jesus said it: “the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” [Matt. 7:13] It is no different today, so we must also remember that “there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [Luke 15:10] It is this joy, even over one person who repents and enters into the joy of God’s salvation, that moves and compels us to continue as God’s messengers. If we are among those who know and believe the love that God has for us, then surely neither greed nor pride, nor any other consideration will keep us from hearing and celebrating the message of Christmas, and glorifying and praising God with His angels. Christmas truly is merry for those who hear and believe!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, You were aware even at Your birth of how people would react to the message of Your salvation, including the many who reject Your love with a myriad of excuses and rationalizations. Open our hearts and minds and fill us with the joy of Your salvation and love, that we allow nothing to keep us from hearing Your Word and praising You. Help us to join You in speaking the message to others, and grant us great joy in even one fellow repentant believer. We pray for our own spiritual health and welfare, and for Your love and joy to infect others around us. Amen.